Method and apparatus for packaging containers



Dec. 9, 1969 v WJJ. HOTTENDORF j 3,482,372

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 29. 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WILL/AM J. HOTTENDORF WL+WM Dec. 9, 1969 w. J. HOTTENDORF METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 29, 1963.

"7 Sheet s-Sheet 2 I N VENTOR.

8 WILL/AM J. N HOTTENDORF w. .1. HOTTENDORF 3,482,372

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 m 3N w! F U Fm m m J m m M 3 t w v r W w o a m f SQ 3 A. 3N K m NNN o J 3 i. .M QNN r m n K L w a M o Nu W v A w ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS Dec. 9,1969

Filed Aug. 29, 1963 F- 9 WI.J. HO TTENDORF v 4 3,482,372

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR-PACKAGING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 29, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

T-FIE1.B.

I30 INVENTOR.

V W/IL/AM Jkyorrmom Arrokusvs '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. HOTTENDORF N H W H.H H

W. J. HOTT ENDORF x w 5&5 03 Q \m 8 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS com QNN qvw QN Qm QM e .4 TTORNEYS Dec. 9, 1969 w. J.HOTTENDORF 3, 2

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 29, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 1 5 v INVENTOR. W/LL/AM J. HOTTENDORF BY///%*WM Arm/wa s United States Patent METHOD AND PACKAGING 27 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to container packaging machinery and more particularly to a method and apparatus for forming a paperboard box or case around an array of containers.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a machine, with which certain methods may be practiced, whereby an array of containers can be packed in a fully enclosed paperboard box where the array of containers is employed as a mandrel around which the box is wrapped. In accordance with certain aspects of the method and apparatus, the end flaps and end and side panels of the box blank from which the box is formed are folded in a particular sequence to provide an eflicient arrangement in which optimum rigidity is imparted to the box blank during transient forming conditions to provide a tightly packed and solid box.

The method and apparatus for forming the box provide an efiicient scheme wherein the flaps and end panels of a box may be sequentially folded across the ends of an array of containers while maintaining continuous supporting engagement with the array to confine the array into a predetermined volume. In relation to this and other aspects of the invention, the methods and apparatus are particularly unique in permitting the boxing of an array of cylindrical containers with the array including at least three rows of at least three articles each Where such an array cannot be boxed by other methods and apparatus because of the stability problems encountered in manipulating cylindrical containers in an unconfined array of this type.

Further in accordance with this invention, the methods and apparatus provide a novel and very efficient flow path for containers wherein an array of containers can be deposited efiiciently on a box blank and the box blank can then be moved sequentially through box forming operations. In this regard, the invention is very useful in packaging canned goods where, for instance, arrays of twentyfour or forty-eight cans can be enclosed by a box with the cans arranged in a conventional array of multiple tiers of multiple rows such as the arrangement of four tiers of a four by three array of tuna fish cans which is packed in a single paperboard case; these conventional arrays are of substantial height, and this invention provides an efficient flow pattern of combined vertical and horizontal motions whereby such an array can be packed most efficiently in a minimum working area and while enclosing the unsupported array as much as possible during transient conditions while a box is formed around the array.

The methods and apparatus of this invention provide particularly efiicient means for boxing containers in a so-called end closure box where the box is made from a box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels attached to opposite sides of the bottom panel, a pair of end panels attached to opposite ends of the bottom panel, a pair of end flaps attached to opposite ends of each of the side panels, and a top panel attached to one of the side panels and attachable to the other side panel; the terms end and side are used here denoting mutually 3,432,372 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 perpendicular edges of the bottom panel without denoting the relative lengths of the edges since the length of an end edge of the bottom panel may be shorter than, equal to, or longer than the length of a side edge.

In connection with the provision of the above-mentioned novel flow path for packaging containers in these end closure cases, this invention provides a number of individual novel combinations and sub-combinations of elements which provide for: (a) timing the folding of end flaps and side panels to provide rigid folding lines between the side panels and bottom panels; (b) timing of the movement of a box blank with respect to end flap folding means so that the end panels may be folded against the array of containers on the outside of the end flaps while permitting the end flap folding means to positively support the array in transient conditions; (0) a novel arrangement whereby an array of containers may be lowered out of a container depositing crib while the box is progressively wrapped around the containers during their downward movement while keeping the array of ,containers in a predetermined pattern during the box forming operations; (d) eificient folding of the box blank around a downwardly moving array of containers where a generally rectangular well is provided around the downward path of the containers to fold the side and end compoents of the box around the sides and ends of the containers while at the same time providing eflicient means for ejecting the thus partially formed box from the well While efiiciently compressing the array of containers in the box and efficiently folding a top panel over the top of the partially formed box; (e) efiicient accumulation and delivery of an array of containers to a box blank to be formed Where the accumulating and delivering apparatus may receive containers in single file and deliver them onto box blanks in the predetermined arrays mentioned above; (f) efficient dropping of an array of containers having multiple rows and tiers as mentioned above onto a box blank while retaining such array of containers in a minimum space and preventing individual containers in the array from becoming skewed when they are dropped; (g) efificient sensing means for automatically sensing the presence of a full array of containers which is to be deposited on a box blank so that all cases filled by the machine are full; and (h) an efficient arrangement coupling together continuously operable box forming means with intermittently operable container supply means and box blank supply means to insure efficient operation of the box f rming means while preventing malformed cases from being produced.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of container packaging machinery constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane indicated at 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1 taken at the plane indicated at 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 taken along the plane indicated at 4-4 in FIG. 1 and illustrating some of the operating parts of FIG. 3 in a different operational position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 'but on an enlarged scale and illustrating greater detail, FIG. 5 being taken along the plane indicated at 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane indicated at 7-7 in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 8 is a plan view taken at the plane indicated at 8-8 on FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view on enlarged scale taken along the plane indicated at 99 in FIG. 7;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary view of the apparatus of FIG. 9 taken along the plane indicated at 1010 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram for control elements of the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a cam timing diagram for the apparatus; and

FIGS. 13-19 are perspective views of a box blank and array of containers illustrating the sequential conditions of the box blank and containers in the apparatus as the box is formed around the containers.

General arrangement Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the apparatus illustrated therein is designed to pack an array of twenty-four cans, such as cans of soup or vegetables, in a corrugated paperboard box. Generally speaking, the apparatus includes a can delivery chute in which cans rolling in a conventional can track are upended and delivered alternately to the upper and lower tables 12 and 14, respectively, of an accumulating table arrangement indicated generally at 16. The cans are accumulated on the table and delivered to a can crib 18 from which they may be dropped in a conventional threerow, two-tier array onto a box blank 20 which is to be formed into a box around the array. The box blank 20, as mentioned above, includes a bottom panel 22, side panels 24, a top panel 26, end panels 28, and end flaps means are provided for attaching the top panel 26 to the other side panel 24 here illustrated as a top flap 32.

A conventional feed table 34 is mounted adjacent to the crib 18 and has conventional feeding and gluing rolls 36 and a selectively operable kicker 38 for starting movement of a box blank on the table through the rolls. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the feed table 34 is positioned to deliver a box blank 20 to a position underneath the crib 18 so that an array of containers dropped from the crib 18 will be deposited upon the bottom panel 22 of the box blank 20, and for purposes explained in greater detail hereinafter, a pair of box blank sensing switches 40 (FIGS. 3 and 7) are mounted adjacent to the underside of the crib 18 for sensing the presence of a box blank thereunder and preventing an array of cans from being dropped when a box blank is not present.

Positioned in between the can accumulator table 16 and the box blank feeding table 34 is a box forming mechanism, indicated generally at 42 in FIG. 1, with the major box forming means in the mechanism being positioned directly below the crib 18 so that the bulk of a box is formed as an array of containers moves downwardly from the crib 18, and final box forming means are provided in a lateral delivery portion 44 of the apparatus and at the input end of a compression conveyor 46 in which boxes formed in the apparatus are conveyed away to any suitable delivery point.

Accumulating table Referring now in greater detail to the accumulating table 16 as it is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a group of main frame elements 48 rotatably support a generally vertical axle 50 on which the upper and lower tables 12 and 14 are mounted for rotation. The axle is provided with a lower thrust bearing 52 and is driven in rotation by suitable power means 54.

A peripheral wall 56 is mounted on the frame members 48 encircling both the upper and lower tables for preventing movement of cans off of the tables and appertures 58 are provided in the walls 56 at one position to permit introduction of cans onto the tables from the can delivery chute 10.

A plurality of divider walls 60 are mounted on the frame members 48 above each of the tables 12 and 14 for dividing the surface area of each table into three generally parallel circumferentially extending paths along which cans are guided to form the three rows of cans in the array which is to be deposited by the crib 18. These divider walls 60 are shaped to exit from the tops of the tables 12 and 14 generally tangentially thereof and lead along a generally straight path into the crib 18.

It will be noted from FIG. 2 that the generally vertical axle 50 is inclined to the vertical plane by a small angle, and this inclination is selected in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to permit the generally straight path for cans moving from the tables to the crib to be smoothly inclined downwardly in the area between the tables and crib to facilitate sliding movement of cans in this area along skid plates 64 (see FIG. 7) which have one end adjacent to the crib 18 and the other end closely adjacent to the periphery of one of the tables 12 and 14.

As indicated in FIG. 1, a plurality of limit switches 65 are mounted on the divider walls 60 and positioned to sense the presence of cans in all of the passageways between the divider walls. These switches are connected as explained hereinafter to permit dumping of an array of containers by the crib 18 only when cans are present at the switches 65 so that insurance is provided that the crib is full before its contents can be released.

Can crib Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 7-10, the can crib is mounted on additional frame elements 48 adjacent to the discharge end of the skid plates 64. One end of the crib is pivotally mounted at a rod 66 to a pair of links 68 which are pivotally supported above the crib on a journaled shaft 70. The other end of the crib is provided with a rod 72 which is connected by a piston rod 74 to an overhead ram 76 mounted on one of the frame members 48. A pair of cam arms 78 depend from the overhead frame member 48 and receive the ends of the rods 72 in arcuately shaped cam openings 80 which permit the crib to move away from the skid plates 64 as the crib is swung between loading and discharging positions.

A plurality of parallel vertical walls 82 are mounted between the rods 66 and 72 dividing the crib into three vertical chutes 84 in which an array of containers may be accumulated and then deposited. A spring loaded hinge 86 is positioned in each of the chutes 84 mounted on one of the walls 82 by a hinge bracket 88 and torsion spring (not shown) whereby the hinge plates provide spring loaded shelves in the chutes for engaging one of the lower edges of each can of a row of cans in the chute for supporting the cans in the chute with the shelves 86 being positioned in alignment with the skid plates 64 to receive cans from the skid plates 64 when the crib is in its upper position.

An apertured end plate 90 closes one end of the chutes 84 with the plate 90 being mounted on the intermediate walls 82 for vertical sliding motion responsive to the operation of a ram 92 which is mounted on a plate 94 on the walls 82 and connected by its piston rod 96 to the end wall 90. The end wall 90 has a plurality of generally square openings 98 therein into which the shelves 86 extend so that downward movement of the end plate 90 causes the side walls of the openings 98 to engage the shelves 86 and move them downwardly to a can releasing position.

The end wall 90 is also provided with a plurality of slots 100 therein with one slot 100 opening into each chute 84 above each of the shelves 86. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a plurality of lever arms 102 are mounted between the outer walls 82 on a pivot rod 104 with torsion springs (not shown) provided resiliently urging the lever arms 102 toward the end wall 90, and each of the lever arms 102 has an ear 106 which projects through one of the slots 100 to engage a can which is on one of the shelves 86 abutting against the end wall 90. The lower ends of all of the lever arms 102 are provided with apertures 108 which are positioned to be aligned with each other when all of the ears 106 are pushed out of the chutes 84 by a full load of cans in the chutes, and light source and photocell 110 are mounted in alignment with the opertures 108 so that energization of the photocell 110 indicates that a full load of cans is present in the crib.

It should be noted that gate means are provided for interrupting the movement of cans on the skid plates 64 when the cylinder 76 is energized to move the crib to its lower discharge position. This locking means includes a limit switch 112 mounted on the underside of the upper frame element 48 and positioned to engage the rod 72 when the crib is in its upper position. As the crib moves out of its upper position, the switch 112 is operated to open a valve to a pneumatic cylinder 114 to contract the cylinder and the opposite ends of the cylinder are connected to freely hinged plates 116 which provide the terminal boundries of the can delivery paths between the guide plates 60. Thus, as the crib starts to move down from its upper position, the cans positioned between the plates 116 are gripped in position and cannot move outwardly into the area of the crib until the crib has returned to its upper position.

When the crib moves to its lower position, an angle bracket 118 on its lower corner engages a limit switch 120, and the limit switch 120 is connected to a valve controlling cylinder 92 to energize the cylinder 92 and release the cans from the crib.

The crib 18 is however prevented from moving from its upper position to its lower position until a box blank is positioned below the crib and the proper time in the cycle of the packaging means described hereinafter has arrived. Thus, as indicated in FIG. 11, the photocell 110 and switches are connected in series with a valve 38V for operating the kicker 38 to deliver a box blank when the crib 18 is full. The box blank is delivered to a position below the crib where it closes the switches 40 mentioned above, and the switches 40 are connected to a relay 122 to energize a valve 76V to move the crib down to its delivery position; the other side of the coil of the relay 122 is however connected through a synchronizing switch 124 to permit the relay 122 to operate only when the proper time period arrives in the cycle of the box forming means described hereinafter. In this regard, and as indicated by the timing position indicated for FIG. 14 on the cam diagram of FIG. 12, the switch 124 is mechanically connected to the drive means for the box forming mechanism to close the switch 124 at about the position in FIG. 12 and reopen the switch at about the 180 position. The switch 124 permits the relay 122 to close to energize the valve 76V and holds the relay closed through its own arms during the time period of the apparatus mentioned above.

Box forming mechanism With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the apparatus for forming a box around the array of cans includes a support platen 126 mounted on an arm 128 for vertical reciprocation on a pair of guides 138 supported on the frame 48; the arm 128 is rigidly mounted on a cross web 132 which has cylindrical bearings 134 at its outer ends which slide up and down on the guides 130. The platen 126 is positioned directly below the crib 18 to support an array of cans on the bottom panel of the box blank 20 on which the cans are deposited.

The web 132 which carries the platen 126 is reciprocated up and down by an arm 135 which is pivotally connected at 136 to the web 132. The opposite end of the arm 135 is pivotally connected at 138 to a link 140 which is in turn pivotally connected to additional frame members 48 of the machine at 142. The arm 135 has intermediate of its ends a laterally projecting cam follower 144 which is received in a cam recess (indicated in phantom in FIG. 3) inside of a box cam 146. The cam 146 is journaled to the frame members 48 about a stub axle 148, and the cam is driven in rotation by a bolt 150 interconnected between the cam 146 and a drive gear 152. The drive gear is driven in rotation by a pinion 154 mounted on main drive shaft 156. The timing of the movement of the platen 126 up and down with respect to the timing of the rotation of drive gear 152 is indicated by the top cam line on the cam timing diagram of FIG. 12 where the zero angular position of the cam timing diagram is selected to be at a time prior to the time the platen starts up. On this cam timing diagram the approximate angular positions are indicated where the platen starts and ends execution of its rising and falling motion.

A pair of side flippers 158 and 160 is mounted at each end of the platen 126 for folding the end flaps 30 of a box 20 which is lowered by the platen 126, and the movement of the flippers 158 and 160 is synchronized with motion of the platen 126 so that the flippers are held in an outward position for a sufficient time during the downward motion of the platen 126 to permit the end flaps 28 of a box to clear the level of the flippers and the flippers are thereafter moved inwardly very rapidly to fold the end flaps of the box 30 to angles inclined substantially to the planes of the side panels 24. The timing of this flipper action is indicated by the second line on the cam timing diagram of FIG. 12 which is represented in a manner similar to the cam timing line of the platen.

Regarding this timing action of the flippers, it has been found that a very advantageous effect is obtained by folding the end flaps 30 of the box blank to positions inclined substantially to the side panels 24 as indicated in FIG. 15 before the side panels 24 are folded to positions perpendicular to the bottom panel 20'; this operation provides very substantial strentgh in the side panels in the area of their crease line connections with the bottom panel and permits the side panels to squeeze a loose array of cans on the bottom panel into a tight pack without collapsing the panels or injuring the crease line.

A description of the linkages for operating one pair of the flippers should suffice for both pairs since the two linkages are substantially mirror images of each other. The flippers 158 and 160 are mounted on upright pivot shafts 162 and 164, respectively, which carry at their lower ends crank arms 166 and 168, respectively, interconnected by a tie rod 170 which insures synchronous movement of the two flippers 158 and 160 of each pair. As is best illustrated in FIG. 3, the crank arm 166 is also connected by a tie rod 172 to a ball joint 174 on the end of a long pivot arm 176 swingably mounted over the drive gear 152 on a shaft 178. The arm 176 carries a cam follower 180 which rides on a cam 182 mounted on the stub axle 148 for synchronous rotation with the box cam 146 (note that the other cam 182A controlling the other pair of flippers is mounted on a stub axle 148A on the drive gear 152 coaxial wtih the stub axle 148). In this manner the cams 182 effect folding of the end flaps of the box in synchronization with movement of the platen 126 from its upper position to its lower position.

As indicated above, the flippers 158 and 160 are actuated by the cams 182 just after the end panel 28 of a box blank on the platen moves to a position below the flippers. At this time, the box blank is partially folded into a condition as illustrated in FIG. 15, and further downward movement of the platen accompanied by inward movement of the flippers to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 effects a joint folding of the side panels and end flaps to vertical positions embracing the array of cans with the ends of the array of cans being supported by the flippers 158 and 160. With the ends of the array thus supported, the platen continues to move down between the flippers while the flippers slide upwardly on the end flaps, and the end panels 28 then engage a pair of horizontal rods 184 at opposite ends of the vertical path of the platen whereby the end panels 28 are also folded upwardly to a vertical position with the rods 184 taking over the function of the flippers in supporting the ends of the box. When the platen 126 arrives at its most downward position, the box is approximately in the condition illustrated in FIG. 16.

A pusher 186 is mounted for horizontal movement across the path of the platen for pushing a partially made box off of the platen in a direction to the right as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 5. A pair of rods 188 and 190 are mounted across the path above the pusher 186 to engage the top panel 26 of the box blank as it is pushed thereunder and fold the top panel downwardly into engagement with the top of the array of cans in the partially made box. As explained hereinafter, additional transport means is provided for engaging the box and moving it further to the right in FIGS. 3 and 5, and a horizontal rod 192 is connected to the transverse rod 190 to hold the top panel 26 downwardly during this subsequent movement of the box while a pair of curved plow rods 194 are connected to opposite ends of the transverse rod 188 to plow down the top end panels 28. In thi regard, the box assumes the position of FIG. 17 just after it is pushed under the rods 188 and 190 by the pusher 186, and the plows 194 fold the end flaps 28 from the position of FIG. 17 to the position of FIG. 18 as the box moves further to the right in FIG. 3.

The pusher 186 is mounted for its longitudinal movement by means of a Web 196 (see FIG. 7) connected to the pusher and carrying a pair of cylindrical sleeves 198 which are slidably received on a pair of stationary longitudinal support shafts 200 (see FIGS. 3 and 7). The web 196 has a pair of depending ears 202 thereon which are connected to a horizontal arm 204 by a pivot pin 206, and the opposite end of the arm 204 is pivotally connected at 208 to the end of an apertured arm 210. The apertured arm 210 is pivotally mounted on the frame members 48 by means of an overhead shaft 212, and the drive bolt 152 extends through the central aperture in the pusher arm 210 as best seen in FIG. 3. In this manner, the drive bolt 152 as it traces its circular path around stub axles 148 causes the pusher to follow the path indicated by the bottom line on the cam timing diagram of FIG. 12. The pusher 186 while moving to the rear in the area around the cam timing position indicated at one hundred fifty degrees (150) clears the bottom side of the platen and then completes its back stroke and turns around while the platen moves to its lower position so that the pusher thereafter moves across the top of the platen and completes its forward stroke While the platen moves back up to its upper position. In this regard, it will be noted from FIG. 7 that the platen arm 128 is positioned centrally under the platen whereas the pusher 186 is made of a pair of spaced apart plates which are supported on the web 96 from outside the periphery of the platen.

As mentioned above, the partially folded box when it has been pushed off of the platen by the pusher is moved further to the right in FIG. 3 by other transport mechanism. This mechanism includes a movable support plate 214 which is mounted on a frame 216 (see FIG. 3) the lower portion of which carries a pair of sleeves 218 which slide upon the longitudinal shafts 200. A plurality of spring loaded hooks 220 are mounted on the bottom of the plate protrude through slots in the plate to engage the trailing edges of boxes which have been delivered from the platen. The frame 216 is connected by a link 222 to a second link 224 which is journaled at 226 below the plate and which is reciprocated forwardly and rearwardly by a link 228 and crank arm 230. The crank arm 230 is driven by a drive shaft 232 which is connected by means partially indicated at 234 in FIG. to the main drive shaft 156 for synchronous movement therewith. On the forward stroke of the plate 214, that is when the crank arm 230 rotates from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4, the hooks 220 engage boxes on the plate and move them forwardly, and a plurality of rearwardly facing hooks 236 are spring mounted at the sides of the plate 214 for engaging the boxes on the plate and preventing their rearward movement when the plate reciprocates to the left in FIGS. 3 and 5 responsive to motion of the crank arm 230 from the position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 3. With both the hooks 220 and 236 spring loaded, they are each pushed out of the way of advancing boxes when the other set of hooks is performing its function.

With reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the compression discharge conveyor section 46 includes a plurality of rollers 238 defining a compression discharge path along which the now almost fully made boxes are conveyed. This compression discharge path is driven in synchronization with movement of the plate 214, and the final folding of the box is accomplished by means of cross bars 240 mounted on chains 242 entrained over sprockets 244 on the upper side of the compression conveyor 46. The cross bars 240 move in synchronization with the entry of a box into the compression conveyor to engage the top flap 32 and fold it downwardly from the box condition illustrated in FIG. 18 to the box condition illustrated in FIG. 19.

Operation From the above description, it will be apparent that the operation of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings is as follows. Cans are delivered to the table arrangement of FIG. 2 from the can chute 10. Means not shown are provided for delivering alternate cans to the upper and lower tables 12 and 14. The tables 12 and 14 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 to deliver cans into the three circumferential paths between the guide 60, and thereafter the cans move by reason of the frictional drag applied thereto by the tables and also by gravity down the can discharge means "62 into the crib 18.

When the photocell senses the presence of cans in all of the can rows in the crib while the limit switches 65 indicate that cans are present in all of the paths between the guide 60, the kicker 38 is energized to start movement of a box blank through the conveying and glue rolls 36 to a position underneath the crib.

When the box blank is properly positioned below the crib and the platen 126 approaches its upper position, the crib 18 is swung from its inclined position shown in FIG. 7 to a position parallel to the platen and closel adjacent thereto, and the array of cans in the crib is deposited on top of the bottom panel of the-box blank as indicated in FIG. 14. Meanwhile, the front cans in the delivery portion 62 of the can accumulating means are gripped in place and prevented from moving into the crib until the crib returns to its upper position.

As the platen 126 starts downwardlly with the box blank and array of cans thereon, the side panels 24 start to fold upwardly, and then the end flaps 60 are folded through a substantial angle before full folding of the side panels, the upward folding of the side panels being affected by engagement of these panels with the portion 48' of frame 48 of the machine above the guides 130 and by engagement with the transverse rod 188 as seen in FIG- URE. 3, the distance betwen the engagement surface 48' and the tranverse rod 188 is greater than the width of the can crib 18 and the bottom panel 22 of the box blank. The folding pressures applied to the side panels are thus spaced from the foldlines attaching these panels to the bottom panel. Further downward movement of the platen is accompanied by folding of the box blank to the position illustrated in 16 with the end panels 128 engaging the folding bars 184.

When the platen reaches its lower position, the pusher 186 pushes the partially formed box off of the platen while causing the top panel 26 to fold downwardly from the position of the FIG. 16 to the position of FIG. 17 as the top panel engages the transverse bars 188 and 190. At about this position, the synchronizing switch 124 in FIG. 11 opens to permit the crib to return to its upper position and receive another array of cans for deposit on 9 the next box blank, and feeding of the next box blank into position below the crib proceeds while the pusher completes its forward stroke and the platen moves up to its upper can receiving position.

Boxes which have been laterally delivered by the pusher 186 have their upper end panels 28 folded down by the plows 194 and finally has their top flap 32 folded down and attached to the opposite side panel 24 by the cross bars 240 on the upper portion of the compression discharge conveyor 46.

It has been found that operation of apparatus constructed in accordance with the above description is very smooth and efiicient and provides very tight and strong cases of canned goods and the like with the cases being formed and filled in a minimum time with a minimum investment in packaging machinery.

While one specific embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described in detail herein, it is obvious that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of packaging a plurality of cylindrical objetcs which comprises:

(A) supporting in a generally flat condition a paperboard box blank having in substantially the same plane a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a top panel connected to one side of one of said side panels, and end panels and flaps on each of the opposite ends of said blank attached alternatively to said top panel, said one side panel, said bottom panel and the other side panel,

(B) depositing on said bottom panel at least nine upright cylindrical objects arranged in an array of at least three rows of at least three objects per row with said array substantially covering said bottom panel and having a height substantially equal to the width of said side panels,

(C) lowering said box blank downwardly and simultaneously bending said end flaps upwardly with respect to the side panels to which they are connected,

(D) further lowering said box blank with said array of articles thereon downwardly through a generally rectangularly pattern of elements having a cross sectional area of substantially the same size and shape as said bottom panel of said blank and with said pattern of elements having an upper side element adjacent to the one side of said box blank to which said top panel is connected and a lower side element adjacent to the opposite side of said blank, and then (B) folding said top panel across said array by pushing said lower element horizontally across said cross sectional area while supporting said box blank at a level where the top of said array passes under said upper element closely adjacent thereto.

2. Apparatus for forming a box around any array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bot tom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels and a top panel connected to one of said side panels which comprises: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of a box blank, means for reciprocating said platen up and down along a generally vertically path between an upper position and a lower position, box forming means mounted between said upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for forming a box as said platen moves to said lower position and folding means for folding said top panel over and in substantial parallel relationship with respect to said bottom panel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said folding means comprises pushing means for pushing said box off said platen and a stationary member for engaging said top panel during said pushing.

4. Apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels and a top panel connected to one of said side panels which comprises: box support means for supporting the bottom panel of a box blank, means for depositing on said support means an array of articles to substantially cover the bottom panel of a box blank on said support means, side panel folding means adjacent to said support means for folding the side panels of a box blank on said support means to a position at right angles to said support means, end flap folding means for folding the end flaps of a box blank on said support means to positions inclined at a substantial angle to said side panels prior to folding of said side panels to said perpendicular position, means for folding the end panels of a box blank to positions perpendicular to said support means and in engagement with said end flaps and means for folding said top panel over the array 'of articles and said bottom panel.

5. Apparatus for forming a box blank around an array of containers which comprises:

(A) a container supply crib for accumulating an array of containers and having selectively operable release means for dropping an accumulated array of containers from said crib,

(B) transport means movable continuously between a first position below said crib in container receiving relation thereto and a second position remote from said first position,

(C) box blank feeding means for positioning a box blank below said crib and between said crib and said first position of said transport means,

(D) box forming means adjacent to said transport means and movable in synchronization therewith for forming a box blank around an array of containers after an array is deposited on a box blank at said first position of said transport means, and

(E) sensing means connected to said release means for sensing the presence of a box blank between said crib and first position of said transport means and the presence of an array of containers in said crib and operating said release means when said sensing means sense the presence of said blank and array while said transport means is in said first position.

6. Apparatus for forming a box around a plurality of containers Which comprises:

(A) a frame,

(B) a platen mounted on said frame for vertical reciprocating movement between an upper position and a lower position,

(C) box blank feeding means for positioning a box blank over and adjacent to said upper position of said platen,

(D) a container supply crib mounted on said frame over said upper :position of said platen and having selectively operable release means for dropping an array of containers from said crib onto a box blank on said platen,

(E) box forming means in said frame operable in synchronization with reciprocation of said platen for forming a box around an array of containers after said array is deposited on a box blank on said platen,

(F) continuously operable drive means for reciprocating said platen between said upper and lower positions, and

(G) sensing means interconnecting said drive means and said release means for sensing the presence of a box blank between said crib and said platen and the presence of an array of containers in said crib and operating said release means when said sensing means sense said blank and array at a time when said platen is in said upper position.

7. An apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel and bottom flaps connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels and a top panel connected to one of said side panels comprising: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of said blank, means for moving said platen along a generally vertical path from an upper position to a lower position, said paten positioned to receive said blank and an array of articles on the bottom panel of said blank when said platen is in said upper position, first folding means positioned between said upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for folding the side panels of said blank when said platen moves from said upper position to said lower position, second folding means for folding the bottom and end flaps of said blank into superimposed relationship and third folding means for folding said top panel over said array of articles in substantially parallel relationship with respect to said bottom panel.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said first folding means are fixedly mounted in said apparatus.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said second folding means comprises members fixedly mounted in said apparatus for folding said bottom flaps from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

10. The invention of claim 7 wherein said third folding means comprises pusher means arranged adjacent to said lower position for moving said blank and array of articles off said platen, transversely of said vertical path.

11. The invention of claim 10 further comprising compression means for receiving said blank and array of articles therein and for securing said top panel of said blank, connected to one of said side panels, to the other of said side panels, and transport means for transporting said blank and array of articles to said compression means from said platen when said pusher means moves said blank and array of articles off said platen.

12. In an apparatus for folding a flat blank of corrugated paperboard around an array of articles, said blank having at least a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel by spaced and parallel foldlines, said foldlines defining the width of said bottom panel, and a pair of end flaps connected to 0pposite ends of each of said side panels, the invention comprising: a one-piece platen having an upper surface substantially fully supporting the bottom panel of said blank and mounted in said apparatus for vertical movements, means for moving said platen along a generally vertical path from an upper position to a lower position and for simultaneously and continuously maintaining the upper surface thereof horizontal, the upper surface of said platen supporting the bottom of said blank thereon during the entire vertical movement of said platen from its upper to its lower position, first folding means arranged adjacent t said support for folding each of the side panels of said blank substantially vertically when said platen is moved from said upper position to said lower position, said first folding means spaced at a predetermined distance from each other greater than the width of the bottom panel of said blank to apply folding pressures to the side panels of said blank which pressures are spaced from said foldlines and second folding means, including at least one member movably mounted in said apparatus, for folding said end flaps.

13. An apparatus for forming a box around a plurality of containers comprising: a frame, a' platen mounted on said frame for only vertical reciprocating movement between an upper position and a lower position, box blank feeding means for positioning a box blank on said platen when said platen is at said upper position, box forming means in said frame operable in synchronization with reciprocation of said platen to fold said blank to partially form a box around a plurality of containers, drive means for reciprocating said platen between said upper and lower positions, means for moving said partially formed box horizontally away from said lower position and off said platen and container supply means comprising a crib having support means movably arranged thereon for selectively permitting an array of containers to be deposited on said blank and platen.

14. Apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, and a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels which comprises: support means having a horizontal surface for supporting the bottom panel of a box blank, supply means for depositing on a box blank on said surface an array of articles to be packed with said array having a predetermined configuration substantially covering the bottom panel of 'a box blank on said surface, a folding station having folding means surrounding said support means for folding said side and end panels and said side flaps upwardly into positions substantially perpendicular to said surface, and motive means for moving said support means and said station with respect to each other along a line perpendicular to said surface, said folding means including first box forming means at said station for engaging said end flaps and holding them in a position perpendicular to said surface and second box forming means parallel to and below said first means for folding said end panels to a position perpendicular to said surface with said surface movable sequentially past said first and second means along said direction, said first box forming means movably mounted directly above said second box forming means for horizontal movement between an inner position for holding end flaps in said perpendicular position and an outer position spaced sufficiently remote from said support means to permit end flaps on a box blank on said surface to pass said first box forming means, and synchronous drive means interconnecting said first box forming means and said motive means for moving said first box forming means inwardly from said outer position when said support surface moves below said first forming means.

15. Apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite side of said botom panel, a pair of end panels connected to 0p posite ends of said bottom panel, and a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels which comprises: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of a box blank, means for reciprocating said platen up and down along a generally vertical path between an upper position and a lower position, means for depositing on said platen at saidupper position an array of articles to substantially cover the bottom panel of a box blank on said platen, and box forming means mounted between said upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for forming a box around said array as said platen moves to said lower position, said boxforming means including movable forming means mounted adjacent to the portions of said path along which the end panels and flaps of a box blank on said platen move as said platen reciprocates with said movable forming means being movable between an inner position adjacent to said path and an outer position positioned sufficiently far away from said path to permit the end flaps of a box blank on said platen to pass therebetween while parallel to said platen, fixed forming means mounted underneath said movable forming means and adjacent to said path for engaging and folding the end panels of a box blank responsive to downward movement of said platen, and drive means for moving said movable forming means from said outer position toward said inner position when said platen is below said movable forming means,

16. Apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, and a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels which comprises: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of a box blank, means for reciprocating said platen up and down along a generally vertical path between an upper position and a lower position, means for depositing on said platen at said upper position an array of articles to substantially cover the bottom panel of a box blank on said platen, and box forming means mounted between siad upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for forming a box around said array as said platen moves to said lower position, said box forming means including upper forming means at one side of said path and lower forming means at the opposite side of said path, and drive means for pushing said lower forming means through said path when said platen is in said lower position whereby a top panel mounted on one side of one of said side panel may be folded over the top of an array of articles as said lower forming means pushes said array under said upper forming means.

17. Apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, and a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels which comprises: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of a box blank, means for reciprocating said platen up and down along a generally vertical path between an upper position and a lower position, means for depositing on said platen at said upper position an array of articles to substantially cover the bottom panel of a box blank on said platen, and box forming means mounted between said upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for forming a box around said array as said platen moves to said lower position, said box forming means including pusher means mounted adjacent to one side of said path for engaging one of said side panels and pushing said side panel against an array of articles in said path, end flap folding means for folding said end flaps to positions inclined at a substantial angle to said side panels, and drive means for driving said pusher means and said end flap folding means for operating said end flap folding means before said pusher means pushes said side panel against said array.

18. Apparatus for depositing an array of containers on container packaging means which comprises: a frame having at least three parallel vertical walls defining a plurality of generally parallel vertical chutes open at their bottoms with each of said chutes having a width substantially equal to the width of a container to be deposited and a length substantially equal to an integral multiple of the length of a container to be deposited, a generally horizontal shelf in each of said chutes movably mounted on one of the walls bounding said chute for supporting a row of containers in each of said chutes, means for simultaneously withdrawing said shelves from said chutes to permit containers in said chutes to drop through the open bottoms thereof and an end wall extending across said chutes generally perpendicular to said vertical Walls and having apertures therein receiving said shelves, and said means for withdrawing said shelves comprises means for moving said end wall downwardly with respect to said shelves.

19. Apparatus for depositing an array of containers on container packaging means which comprises: a frame having at least three parallel vertical walls defining a plurality of generally parallel vertical chutes open at their bottoms with each of said chutes having a width substantially equal to the width of a container to be deposited and a length substantially equal to an integral multiple of the length of a container to be deposited, a generally horizontal shelf in each of said chutes movably mounted on one of the walls bounding said chute for supporting a row of containers in each of said chutes, means for simultaneously withdrawing said shelves from said chutes to permit containers in said chutes to drop through the open bottoms thereof and an end wall forming a portion of said frame and extending generally perpendicular to said parallel walls across the ends of said chutes, and means are provided on said frame for sensing the presence of containers in said chutes said means comprising a plurality of vertical plates movably mounted on said frame outside said end wall with one of said plates protruding through said end wall into each of said chutes in position to be pushed out of said chute by containers on the shelf in said chute, said plates having apertures therein positioned to be aligned with each other outside of said chutes when said plates are pushed outside of said chutes by containers, and photosensitive means positioned to sense the transmission of light through said aligned apertures.

20. An apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel and bottom flaps connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel and a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels comprising: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of said blank, means for moving said platen along a generally vertical path from an upper position to a lower position, means for depositing said array of articles on the bottom panel of said blank and said platen when said platen is in said upper position, first folding means arranged between said upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for folding the side panels of said blank when said platen moves from said upper position to said lower position, and second folding means for folding the bottom and end flaps of said blank into superimposed relationship, said second folding means comprising at least one member movably mounted in said apparatus adjacent to the lower position of platen movement and arranged to fold a first pair of said end flaps.

21. An apparatus for forming a box around an array of articles from a substantially flat box blank having a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel and bottom flaps connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel and a pair of end flaps connected to opposite ends of each of said side panels comprising: a platen having an upper surface adapted to support the bottom panel of said blank, means for moving said platen along a generally vertical path from an upper position to a lower position, means for depositing said array of articles. on the bottom panel of said blank and said platen when said platen is in said upper position, first folding means arranged between said upper and lower positions and adjacent to the sides of said path for folding the side panels of said blank when said platen moves from said upper position to said lower position, second folding means for folding the bottom and end flaps of said blank into superimposed relationship, pusher means arranged adjacent to said lower position for moving said blank and array of articles off said platen, transversely of said vertical path and compression means for receiving said blank and array of articles therein and for securing a top panel of said blank, connected to one of said side panels, to the other of said side panels, and transport means for transporting said blank and array of articles to said compression means from said platen when said pusher means moves said blank and array of articles off said platen.

22. An apparatus for forming a box around a plurality of containers comprising: a frame, a platen mounted on said frame for vertical reciprocating movement between an upper position and a lower position, box blank feeding means for positioning a box blank on said platen when said platen is at said upper position, container supply means for depositing an array of containers on said blank and platen when said platen is at said upper position, box forming means in said frame operable in synchronization with reciprocation of said platen to fold said blank to partially form a box around said array of containers, drive means for reciprocating said platen between said upper and lower positions, and control means interconnecting said drive means and said supply means for automatically depositing said array of containers on said blank and said platen when said platen is at said upper position, said container supply means comprising a crib having support means movably arranged thereon for selectively permitting saidarray of containers to be deposited on said blank and said platen in response to said means.

23. In an apparatus for folding a blank around an array of containers, the invention comprising a crib having at least three parallel and vertically disposed walls defining a plurality of generally parallel and vertically disposed chutes open at their bottoms, horizontaly disposed and movably mounted support means normally arranged to close at least portions of the bottoms of said chutes to retain said containers therein, means for moving said support means to open the bottom of said chutes to permit all of said containers to drop therethrough under the influence of gravity, platen means arranged to be moved vertically to an upper position to said crib to receive said containers when said support means is opened, blank feeding means for positioning a multipaneled blank on said platen when said platen is at said upper position and folding means arranged vertically below said crib and operable in synchronization with movement of said platen to fold said blank to partially form a box around said array of containers.

24. The invention of claim 7 wherein said third folding means comprises at least one bar fixedly mounted in said apparatus between said upper and lower positions.

25. The invention of claim 12 further comprising supply means for depositing an array of articles on the bottom panel of said blank when said platen is in said upper position.

26. A method for packaging a plurality of articles comprising the steps of:

suporting a flattened blank in a substantially horizontally disposed position, said blank comprising a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, an end fiap connected to each end of each of said side panels to form a pair of end flaps at each end of said blank, and a top panel connected to an edge of one of said side panels,

depositing a plurality of objects on said bottom panel to substantially cover said bottom panel,

lowering said blank and objects downwardly along a substantially vertically disposed path,

folding said side panels upwardly to substantially abut side ortion of said objects,

folding said end flaps inwardly towards said objects to substantially abut end portions thereof, and

moving said blank and objects substantially transversely relative-to said vertically disposed path after said blank and objects have been moved downwardly to a predetermined position and said side panels have been folded while simultaneously folding said top panel over said objects and into substantially parallel relationship with respect to said bottom panel.

27. A method for packaging a plurality of articles comprising the steps of:

supporting a flattened blank in a substantially horizontally disposed position, said blank comprising a bottom panel, a pair of side panels connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to opposite ends of said bottom panel, an end flap connected to each end of said side panels to form a pair of end flaps at each end of said blank, and a top panel connected to an edge of one of said side panels,

depositing a plurality of objects on said bottom panel to substantially cover said bottom panel,

lowering said blank and objects downwardly along a substantially vertically disposed path,

folding said side panels upwardly to substantially abut side portions of said objects,

folding said end flaps inwardly towards said objects to substantially abut end portions thereof,

folding said end panels upwardly to substantially superimpose them over said end portions of said objects and said end flaps,

moving said blank and objects substantially transversely relative to said vertically disposed path after said blank and objects have been moved downwardly to a predetermined position and said side panels have been folded, and

folding said top panel over said objects and into substantially parallel relationship with respect to said bottom panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,946,165 7/1960 Cote 53228 X 3,032,211 5/1962 Wordsworth 221-93 X 3,086,337 4/1963 Engleson et al. 53222 X 2,152,330 3/1939 Shafen 53207 2,270,264 1/1942 Carruth 5347 2,718,301 9/1955 Palmer 5348 X 3,126,123 3/1964 Pickering 221--75 3,190,488 6/1965 Holstein et al 221-75 X 2,535,880 12/1950 Tomkins 53149 X 2,885,842 5/1959 Boitel 5334 3,242,635 3/1966 Kobick 53222 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner NEIL ABRAMS, Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,482 ,372 December 9 1969 William J. Hottendorf It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 32, "strentgh" should read strength Column 7, line 62, after "plate" insert and Column 9, line 44, "rectangularly" should read rectangular line 65 "vertically" should read vertical Column 13 line 14 "siad" should read said Column 15 line 18 before "means" insert control Column 16 line 18 after "of" insert each of Signed and sealed this 9th day of June 1970 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. 

26. A METHOD FOR PACKAGING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: SUPPORTING A FLATTENED BLANK IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED POSITION, SAID BLANK COMPRISING A BOTTOM PANEL, A PAIR OF SIDE PANELS CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL, A PAIR OF END PANELS CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL, AN END FLAP CONNECTED TO EACH END OF EACH OF SAID SIDE PANELS TO FORM A PAIR OF END FLAPS AT EACH END OF SAID BLANK, AND A TOP PANEL CONNECTED TO AN EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS, DEPOSITING A PLURALITY OF OBJECTS ON SAID BOTTOM PANEL TO SUBSTANTIALLY COVER SAID BOTTOM PANEL, LOWERING SAID BLANK AND OBJECTS DOWNWARDLY ALONG A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED PATH, FOLDING SAID SIDE PANELS UPWARDLY TO SUBSTANTIALLY ABUT SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID OBJECTS, FOLDING SAID END FLAPS INWARDLY TOWARDS SAID OBJECTS TO SUBSTANTIALLY ABUT END PORTION THEREOF, AND MOVING SAID BLANK AND OBJECTS SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE TO SAID VERTICALLY DISPOSED PATH AFTER SAID BLANK AND OBJECTS HAVE BEEN MOVED DOWNWARDLY TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION AND SAID SIDE PANELS HAVE BEEN FOLDED WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY FOLDING SAID TOP PANEL OVER SAID OBJECTS AND INTO SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID BOTTOM PANEL. 